On February 21, 2017, Governor Scott named Emily Boedecker as Commissioner of Environmental Conservation. “Emily is an inspired choice for this position,” said Eric Hart, President of the Local Motion Board of Directors. “She is enormously knowledgeable in environmental matters, manages people and finances with equal dexterity, and builds consensus and shared vision among groups with varying opinions. She has put Local Motion on a strong footing for continued growth, and I know she will serve our state well in this new role.”

We are excited to introduce Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks, a new guide from the USDOT Federal Highway Administration Bicycle and Pedestrian Program that will help make streets and roads in Vermont towns work better and be safer for everyone! The guide is a great new resource for advocates, municipal staff and leaders in Vermont's small towns and rural communities. It applies existing national design guidelines for safer streets and roads in rural settings and highlights small town and rural case studies -- even one from Vermont's own Lyndonville! 

Check out this sure-to-be informative, free(!) America Walks webinar series on building walkable communities. Coming your way on the second Wednesday of every month throughout 2017, experts as well as advocates and municipal representatives will present sase studies from around the country, and discuss what makes a city walkable and how to do it in your community.

Register NOW!

We've all seen it (and some of us may even be guilty of it ourselves) - the exasperated looking driver, coffee cup in one hand and a scowl on their face as they sit in traffic. Or perhaps it's the person sitting across from you on your bus who keeps looking at their watch and muttering about how they're going to be late to their meeting. Commuting is no one's favorite part of the day but inevitable for most. Is there a way to make it more enjoyable?

Upon hearing that she have been selected, Lindy Sargent said "I am thrilled to have won the new Trek bikes in the drawing as I am an educator and a Safe Routes to School program participate. I have traveled most of the roads in Orleans County and I bike commute to my job in the spring and fall months. I'm so excited to do so on my new bike!" Give like Lindy and you too could win.

Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront announced earlier today the re-opening of the treasured Burlington Greenway. The Burlington Greenway, formerly known as The Burlington Bike Path, has been under construction since mid-summer and been closed to the public for just as long. 

If your community wishes to participate in the joint VTrans/ACCD Better Connections Grant Program, a pre-application meeting needs to happen by Friday, December 16th.  

“I got a little green bicycle with training wheels. I learned to cycle without them during a sleepover at my aunt's house, where my cousins taught me how to balance the bike just so. You would think they had taught me how to fly... 

A recent article from Citylab gives empirical backing to something that is obvious to anyone who rides a bike:  protected bike lanes make biking better.  But they do more than reduce crashes; they also increase rates of biking.  The increased margin of safety persuades "retired" bike riders to dust off their bikes and take to the streets.  Check out the article at this link.  And read on to learn why this matters right now for Burlington.

VBike just debuted its adaptive bike fleet! It's all about rolling out our "Bike Transportation Without Limitations" program - bicycle mobility with virtually no barrier to age, physical condition, or experience level. On Saturday, Oct. 1st, VBike volunteer Farid Quraishi and VBike director Dave Cohen headed down to Bethel to participate in Bethel Better Block and debut this fleet.